The Fall of Samaria: An Historical and Archaeological Study (Studies in the History of the Ancient Near East, 2)

"The fall of Samaria is narrated in 2 Kings 17. The cuneiform inscriptions dealing with this event are prima facie contradictory: the conquest is ascribed to both Shalmaneser V and Sargon II. The surmise of H. Tadmor that Samaria was conquered twice is investigated. At the same time the events are interpreted in their socio-historical framework. Tadmor's assumption cannot be falsified, although his theory should be modified as regards the date of the first conquest: 723 B.C.E. The fall of Samaria can be interpreted as an inevitable result of the expansion of the Assyrian Empire in combination with internal struggles in Israel. Evidence of deportation reveals that deportees were treated as normal citizens. Thorough discussion of the sources and their interpretation is a feature of this book." -- Provided by publisher Title Page 4 Copyright page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 12 List of abbreviations 14 I PRELUDE From independent prosperity to vassal-state 18 1.1. Northern Israel: a prosperous state during the reign of Jeroboam II 18 1.2. The campaign of Tiglath-Pileser III against Syria and Phoenicia: Israel becomes a voluntary tributary 19 1.3. Intermezzo: 737-735 BCE beginning of the Syro-Ephraimite war 22 1.4. The campaign of Tiglath Pileser III in 734 BCE 25 1.5. Tiglath Pileser III’s campaign in 733 and 732 BCE 28 II FROM VASSAL STATE TO ASSYRIAN PROVINCE Mesopotamian sources 38 2.1. The problem 38 2.2. Babylonian Chronicle I i:27-32 39 2.3. The claims of Sargon II 42 2.4. A twofold conquest 51 2.5. Evaluation 55 III FROM VASSAL STATE TO ASSYRIAN PROVINCE Old Testament sources 64 3.1. 2Kings 17:3-6 and 2 Kings 18:9-11 64 3.2. Traditions from the archives of Israel 66 3.3. Traditions from the archives of Judah 68 3.4. Anchoring in history 70 3.5. Conclusions 72 3.6. An archaelogical side-step 73 IV DEPORTATIONS 78 4.1. The Assyrian system of deportation 78 4.2. Halah 79 4.3. Habur, the river of Gozan 81 4.4. The cities of the Medes 86 4.5. Military 90 4.6. Cities in the Assyrian mainland 95 4.6.1. Dur Sharruken 95 4.6.2. Kalhu = Nimrud 96 4.6.3. Nineveh 104 4.6.4. Unknown 107 4.7. Three persons 107 4.8. Conclusions 109 V REPOPULATION 112 5.1. 2 Kings 17:24 112 5.1.1. Babylon 112 5.1.2. Kutha 114 5.1.3. Avva 115 5.1.4. Hamath 116 5.1.5. Sefarvaïm 116 5.1.6. Conclusions 119 5.2. Arab tribes 119 VI ASSYRIAN DOCUMENTS Relating to the Assyrian provinces Samerina, Du’ru, Magidu and Gal’a(d)da 122 6.1. Introduction 122 6.2. Sources 122 6.3. Conclusions 135 Bibliography 138 Indexes 158 STUDIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 172 I. Prelude -- From Independent Prosperity To Vassal-state -- Northern Israel: A Prosperous State During The Reign Of Jeroboam Ii -- The Campaign Of Tiglath-pileser Iii Against Syria And Phoenicia: Israel Becomes A Voluntary Tributary -- Intermezzo: 737-735 Bce Beginning Of The Syro-ephraimite War -- The Campaign Of Tiglath Pileser Iii In 734 Bce -- Tiglath Pileser Iii's Campaign In 733 And 732 Bce Ii. From Vassal State To Assyrian Province -- Mesopotamian Sources -- The Problem -- Babylonian Chronicle Ii:27-32 -- The Claims Of Sargon Ii -- A Twofold Conquest -- Evaluation Iii. From Vassal State To Assyrian Province -- Old Testament Sources -- 2 Kings 17:3-6 And 2 Kings 18:9-11 -- Traditions From The Archives Of Israel -- Traditions From The Archives Of Judah -- Anchoring In History -- Conclusions -- An Archaeological Side-step Iv. Deportations -- The Assyrian System Of Deportation -- Halah -- Habur, The River Of Gozan -- The Cities Of The Medes -- Military -- Cities In The Assyrian Mainland -- Three Persons -- Conclusions V. Repopulation -- 2 Kings 17:24 -- Arab Tribes Vi. Assyrian Documents -- Relating To The Assyrian Provinces Samerina, Du'ru, Magidu And Gal'a(d)da -- Introduction -- Sources -- Conclusions. By Bob Becking. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [121]-140) And Indexes. "2 Kings 17 narrates the fall of Samaria. The cuneiform inscriptions dealing with this event are prima facie contradictory: the conquest is ascribed to both Shalmaneser V and Sargon II. The surmise of H. Tadmor that Samaria was conquered twice is investigated. At the same time the events are interpreted in their socio-historical framework." "Tadmor's assumption cannot be falsified, although his theory should be modified on the date of the first conquest: 723 BCE. The fall of Samaria can be interpreted as an inevitable result of the expansion of the Assyrian Empire in combination with internal strives in Israel. Traces of deportation make clear that deportees were treated as normal citizens." "The significance of this book consists in its thorough discussion of the sources and their interpretation."--BOOK JACKET Samaria was conquered twice: in 723 BCE by Shalmaneser V and in 720 BCE by Sargon II. The fall of the city was an inevitable result of the expansion of the Assyrian Empire and the internal strives in Israel. In the present study all the relevant sources and their interpretations are thoroughly discussed and evaluated.